East Coast Meets Southwest in Tucson

Name: Theresa Delaney and her boyfriend James
Location: Tucson, Arizona

My boyfriend and I live just north of central Tucson. We love being a quick ten-minute drive from downtown or the University of Arizona, and minutes from our favorite spots in the foothills. The large yard, quiet neighborhood and desert scenery don’t hurt, either! We share our home with two rowdy, furniture-loving dogs: the ultimate design challenge, especially for someone that loves bright, neutral interiors!

Since I moved in last year, James and I have been slowly transitioning the house to a shared space. I’m from the East Coast but am completely taken by the Southwest, and James is a Tucson-native, so I’m always working on finding a balance between the two aesthetics. Tucson is full of quirky shops, thrift stores, and plant nurseries, so finding unique items to decorate with is always fun!

Because I work from home, creating a space that feeds my creativity is vital, but we also look for solutions that are functional with two large dogs. Despite James’ rational and spot-on warnings, I managed to sneak in a few white rug purchases. Our favorite room is far and away the bedroom, because it is where we get to relax with each other, the dogs and Netflix after long work and school days. But the natural light that streams through our large living room window makes it a close call!

I am a lifelong bargain shopper and crafter, so most of our furniture and decor is made up of thrifting finds, DIYs, and IKEA hacks. James and I (and Biggie and Apollo, of course) are definitely ready to put away the paint and toolbox for a while to enjoy our updated space together.

Thanks, Theresa !

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